While participating on a Middle East panel
of the Academy of Achievement in Chicago, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, warned against religious definitions of terrorism and specifically
objected to the phrases "Islamic terror" and "moderate Islam."

Reacting to Congresswoman Jane Harman's use of 'moderate Islam', Erdogan
said, "Turkey is not a country where moderate Islam is sovereign. First of all,
the 'moderate Islam' concept is wrong. The word 'Islam' is a simple word -- it
is only Islam. If you say 'moderate Islam,' then an alternative is created, and
that is 'immoderate Islam.' I cannot accept such a concept as a Muslim. Islam
rejects excessivenesses. I am not a radical Muslim. We are Muslims who have
found a middle road."

Erdogan was most critical of Bernard Lewis, a panelist during the discussion
and specialist in Middle Eastern studies, when he used the phrase "Islamic
terror." In response, the Turkish Prime Minister said, "Such a definition does
not only worry Muslims in the world, but also worries all the believers of all
the celestial religions. No religion permits terrorism. 'Islam,' in front of the
word 'terror,' ascribes Islam to terror and is unpleasant indeed. You may say a
religious terrorist; however, you cannot say Islamic terrorism."

Chris Matthews, the panel director, interjected, "How do we define terror if
we do not say terror is Islamic?"

Erdogan, underscoring that terror is an outcome, said, "Terror is not a
reason. However, can we endeavor to remove the reasons of terror? The U.S. entry
into Baghdad does not solve the problem."

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ahud Barak, another panelist, agreed with
Erdogan's objections to the current definition of terrorism.

While participating on a Middle East panel
of the Academy of Achievement in Chicago, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, warned against religious definitions of terrorism and specifically
objected to the phrases "Islamic terror" and "moderate Islam."

Reacting to Congresswoman Jane Harman's use of 'moderate Islam', Erdogan
said, "Turkey is not a country where moderate Islam is sovereign. First of all,
the 'moderate Islam' concept is wrong. The word 'Islam' is a simple word -- it
is only Islam. If you say 'moderate Islam,' then an alternative is created, and
that is 'immoderate Islam.' I cannot accept such a concept as a Muslim. Islam
rejects excessivenesses. I am not a radical Muslim. We are Muslims who have
found a middle road."

Erdogan was most critical of Bernard Lewis, a panelist during the discussion
and specialist in Middle Eastern studies, when he used the phrase "Islamic
terror." In response, the Turkish Prime Minister said, "Such a definition does
not only worry Muslims in the world, but also worries all the believers of all
the celestial religions. No religion permits terrorism. 'Islam,' in front of the
word 'terror,' ascribes Islam to terror and is unpleasant indeed. You may say a
religious terrorist; however, you cannot say Islamic terrorism."

Chris Matthews, the panel director, interjected, "How do we define terror if
we do not say terror is Islamic?"

Erdogan, underscoring that terror is an outcome, said, "Terror is not a
reason. However, can we endeavor to remove the reasons of terror? The U.S. entry
into Baghdad does not solve the problem."

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ahud Barak, another panelist, agreed with
Erdogan's objections to the current definition of terrorism.